A habitat corridor, also known as a wildlife corridor or ecological corridor, is a narrow strip of habitat that connects two or more larger areas of similar habitat, allowing for the movement of plants and animals between them. Habitat corridors can be natural, such as rivers or forest edges, or human-made, such as underpasses or overpasses for roads.
Habitat corridors are useful because they help to maintain and increase biodiversity by allowing for the movement of plants and animals between otherwise isolated habitats. This movement can increase genetic diversity within populations, reduce inbreeding, and provide opportunities for species to expand their ranges or colonize new areas. Corridors can also help to mitigate the negative effects of habitat fragmentation, which can lead to habitat loss, reduced genetic diversity, and increased isolation of populations. By providing connections between habitats, corridors can help to maintain ecosystem services, such as pollination and seed dispersal, and increase the resilience of ecosystems to environmental disturbances such as climate change. Finally, habitat corridors can also have recreational and educational value for humans, as they provide opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor activities.